Fall Allergy Tips

Fall is a great time here in Houston, Texas. The temperature is mild, the leaves change and fall, the marshmallows are roasting, and football season is in full swing. Unfortunately, crisp air and yummy treats aren’t the only things autumn brings to Houston. Itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose are no fun. Especially when you want to get out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather, so Champions Urgent Care brings you some tips to help deal with allergy season.

Fall clean your home

We’ve all heard of spring cleaning, but fall cleaning is just as important when it comes to allergies. Now is a great time to give the curtains a good wash, beat the dust from the carpets, and maybe even shampoo the upholstered furniture. For serious allergy or asthma cases, many carpet cleaning services offer AAFA-certified carpet cleanings to help rid your home of indoor allergens like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites.

Get your HVAC system and air ducts checked

Did you know that your household can accumulate over 40 pounds of dust a year? Having your HVAC system inspected and cleaned is one way you can cut back on the amount of allergens circulating through your home. Replacing your system’s filters can also help.

Leave your shoes at the door

Sometimes we don’t realize just how much we track into our home with our shoes. Keeping mud and dirt off the carpet aren’t the only reasons we should leave our shoes at the door. Shoes can also bring in pollen from outside. While this tactic won’t completely keep pollen from getting inside, it will definitely cut down on the amount that makes it into your home.

Wash your hair before bed

Our hair carries a lot of allergens with us wherever we go. Washing your hair before bed prevents these allergens from getting on your pillow and getting that much closer to your nasal passages. Washing your bedding and pillow cases can also help.

Hit the “recirculate” button in the car

What’s the difference between running the heater in your vehicle and running it with “recirculate”? The recirculate option in your vehicle allows your heating or cooling system to reuse the air in your vehicle versus pulling air in from the outside. This is a wonderful option on those high pollen count days.

For allergy sufferers, fall can be a battle between enjoying the gorgeous outdoors, and wanting to stay locked inside for the sake of your health. Although running into allergens is unavoidable, there are ways to help cut back on the amount of pollen and other allergens that you are exposed to. For more information on asthma and allergies, visit the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. And for when your seasonal allergies get the best of you, visit Champions Urgent Care in Houston, Texas and we’ll get you back on track!